Expression of monocarboxylate transporter 1 (MCT1) in the dog intestine

In this study, the expression and distribution of monocarboxyolate transporter 1 (MCT1) along the intestines (duodenum, jejunum, ileum, cecum, colon and rectum) of dogs were investigated at both the mRNA and protein levels. The expression of MCT1 protein and its distribution were confirmed by Western blotting and immunohistochemical staining using the antibody for MCT1. We identified mRNA coding for MCT1 and a 43-kDa band of MCT1 protein in all regions from the duodenum to the rectum. Immunoreactive staining for MCT1 was also observed in epithelial cells throughout the intestines. MCT1 immunoreactivity was greater in the large intestine than in the small intestine. MCT1 protein was predominantly expressed on the basolateral membranes along intestinal epithelial cells, suggesting that MCT1 may play an important role in lactate efflux and transport of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) to the bloodstream across the basolateral membranes of the dog intestine.     

Effect of activation treatments on actin filament distribution and in vitro development of miniature pig somatic cell nuclear transfer embryos

In the present study, we investigated the effect of activation treatments on the actin filament distribution and in vitro development of somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) embryos in miniature pigs. We combined three activation methods, ionomycin (ION), electrical stimulation (ES), and cycloheximide treatment (CH), to prepare seven activation treatments (ION, ES, CH, ION + CH, ION + ES, ES + CH and ION + ES + CH). First, we investigated the activation rate of oocytes and in vitro development of parthenotes. The activation rates of the oocytes in the ION, ES, CH, ION + CH, ION + ES, ES + CH, and ION + ES + CH groups were 42.9, 51.3, 0.0, 82.1, 80.6, 78.1 and 78.6%, respectively, showing that the rates of the combined treatment groups were significantly higher (P<0.05) than those of the single treatment groups. Although there were no significant differences in the activation rates of the combined treatment groups, the developmental rate to blastocysts in the ION + CH treatment group (36.1%) was significantly higher (P<0.05) than the other combined treatment groups (14.6-24.7%). Subsequently, we investigated the in vitro development and distribution of microfilaments in SCNT embryos. The developmental rate to blastcysts of the SCNT embryos in the ION + CH treatment group (11.3%) was significantly higher (P<0.05) than in the ES and ION + ES + CH treatment groups (4.5 and 5.2%, respectively). The rate of normal actin filament distribution in the SCNT embryos activated with ION + CH was significantly higher (P<0.05) than those activated with ES or ION + ES + CH treatment (63.3 vs. 46.8 or 46.4%). In addition, the fragmentation rate of the SCNT embryos activated with ION + CH was significantly lower (P<0.05) than those activated with ION + ES + CH (14.9 vs. 26.1%). The present results suggest that an activation treatment of ionomycin combined with cycloheximide may avoid physical damage to microfilaments and result in improved subsequent development of miniature pig SCNT embryos.     

Irradiation history of Itokawa regolith material deduced from noble gases in the Hayabusa samples

Noble gas isotopes were measured in three rocky grains from asteroid Itokawa to elucidate a history of irradiation from cosmic rays and solar wind on its surface. Large amounts of solar helium (He), neon (Ne), and argon (Ar) trapped in various depths in the grains were observed, which can be explained by multiple implantations of solar wind particles into the grains, combined with preferential He loss caused by frictional wear of space-weathered rims on the grains. Short residence time of less than 8 million years was implied for the grains by an estimate on cosmic-ray-produced (21)Ne. Our results suggest that Itokawa is continuously losing its surface materials into space at a rate of tens of centimeters per million years. The lifetime of Itokawa should be much shorter than the age of our solar system.     

pH of solution greatly affects sorption of ionizable compounds into low-density polyethylene film

Sorption of ionizable compounds of pyridines and aromatic carboxylic acids into low-density polyethylene (LDPE) film was investigated as a function of pH ranging from 4 to 7. The sorptions for pyridines were increased with increasing pH. Within the range examined, pH 7 was observed to promote the highest degree of sorption. When the pH increased by one unit from 6 to 7, the sorptions for 2-propylpyridine and 2,4,6-trimethylpyridine were both increased approximately 3.8 and 10.5 times, respectively. At pH 4, the sorption for the pyridines entirely disappeared. In contrast, the sorptions for aromatic carboxylic acids increased with decreasing pH. Within the range examined, pH 4 was observed to promote the highest degree of sorption. The magnitude of sorption for pyridines and carboxylic acids apparently depended on the affinity (delta(c)) of these compounds for LDPE film. Another factor affecting the sorption at various pHs was the pK(a) of these compounds; the sorption greatly decreased with the ionization degree of these compounds. To elucidate the phenomena, the following thermodynamic sorption equation was applied: S = S(0)gamma exp[V(v){(delta(w) - delta(v))(2) - delta(c)(2))/RT}. The plots of ln S for pyridines vs the term of the equation gave an insufficient relationship (r = 0.519). In contrast, taking into account the ratio (chi(i)()) of concentration of un-ionized compound to total concentration, the improvement for the equation was made: S' = S/chi(i)() = S(0)gamma exp[V(v){(delta(w) - delta(v))(2) - delta(c)(2))/RT}. The plots of ln S' vs the term of the equation gave a better relationship (r = 0.884). Furthermore, the equation was also applicable for the sorption behavior of carboxylic acids into LDPE (r = 0.769).     

Analysis of the bone morphogenetic protein 6 gene promoter region in young beef cattle affected by enzootic bovine leukosis

Enzootic bovine leukosis (EBL) is typically observed in cattle over 3 years old. However, some cases of EBL onset in young beef cattle have been reported in Japan. The mechanism for early EBL onset is unclear. In Japan, beef cattle are given large amounts of concentrated feed with low vitamin A. Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) are regulators of cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis, and thought to represent one of the key players in tumor malignancy. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the differences in BMP-6 methylation status between EBL beef cattle under 3 years old and other cattle. We investigated the methylation status of the BMP-6 promoter region in 32 EBL beef cattle under 3 years old. We also compared the methylation status of EBL dairy cattle to that of healthy cattle. Median methylation rate of the BMP-6 promoter region in EBL beef cattle under 3 years old was 8.9%, which was significantly higher than that of other groups. Hypermethylation of the BMP-6 promoter region might contribute to early onset of EBL in beef cattle under 3 years old, and animal feeding management practices specific to beef cattle may affect the methylation status of the BMP-6 promoter region.     

Gentian Kobu-sho-associated virus: a tentative, novel double-stranded RNA virus that is relevant to gentian Kobu-sho syndrome

A virus-like dsRNA of about 23 kbp was detected in gentian plants showing Kobu-sho syndrome including stunting, shortened internodes, and tumors on stems, nodes and roots. Nucleotide sequence analysis has suggested that this dsRNA is related to Pestivirus species but not to any other plant viruses. It was protected from externally added RNase, suggesting that the dsRNA is encapsidated. The dsRNA was co-extracted in a crude homogenate of glutaraldehyde-fixed tissue with the virus-like particles that have been associated previously with Kobu-sho syndrome in gentian (Usugi et al. Jpn J Phytopathol 76:21–24, 2010). The RNA sequence was detected in more than 99 % of Kobu-sho gentian individuals but in less than 20 % of apparently healthy gentian individuals from fields affected with Kobu-sho. Thus, we propose naming the virus Gentian Kobu-sho-associated virus.     

Responses of Riverine Macroinvertebrates to Zinc in Natural Streams: Implications for the Japanese Water Quality Standard

We conducted a field survey in Japanese streams and rivers to generate useful information about whether the Japanese water quality standard for zinc (Zn) in the freshwater environment (30 μg/L) is over- or underprotective of the populations and communities of lotic benthic macroinvertebrates. Many macroinvertebrate populations were reduced and community characteristics were altered at two polluted sites with Zn concentrations above 1,000 μg/L as compared with control sites with Zn concentrations below 30 μg/L. In contrast, at least one site among three polluted sites with Zn concentrations of 80–126 μg/L experienced noncritical effects (i.e., no significant difference was observed between the sample mean at a polluted site and that at the control sites, and the sample mean was within the minimum–maximum range of those at the control sites) for most of the ten community metrics for diversity and abundance. In addition, the abundances of 95% of the dominant taxa were not always significantly lower at more than one polluted site (Zn concentrations, ≥80 μg/L). Our results suggest that Zn concentrations below approximately 100 μg/L are likely to protect most aspects of richness and abundance of the riverine macroinvertebrate communities in the study areas. This study shows a case that the Japanese Zn standard is likely overprotective of the macroinvertebrate populations and communities.